traveling

Traveling to Ambergris Caye in early May for 7 days with our daughter who is an intermediate diver. Would like her to get in 3 dives, if time permits. Can anyone recommend any snorkeling/diving trips and dive shops? We are interested in trips where she can dive and hubby and I can snorkel other than Hol Chan and Shark Alley. Mexico Rocks? Caulker Caye? Any suggestions for must see areas or advice on the best dive shops to inquire at would be appreciated.

sylvia3

We liked Mexico Rocks for the coral colors and lack of crowds. However, given the water depths, it might be better for snorkeling vs. diving (ditto Shark Alley; that's really just a throng of boats and chumming for rays, etc., on the way back from Hol Chan).
Turneffe Atoll is farther and more expensive, but might be what you are looking for.

traveling

Thanks, Sylvia. We may all just snorkel at Hol Chan and Mexico Rocks and look for other areas to snorkel/dive at the same time on other days. We are staying at Pelcan Reef. Any dive shops nearby anyone can recommend?

JeanH

I'm not a diver, and certainly no expert, but here are some thoughts.

Other than Hol Chan, most of the other dive sites are outside the reef, and may be too deep for any type of snorkeling. I'm not sure though, check with the dive shops.

My husband likes Ecologic. He was diving last week with Island Divers and was happy with them as well. Chuck & Robbie's get good reviews.

traveling

Thanks, Jean, I have gotten some info from Ecologic. They have an all day Hol Chan/Shark Alley/Caulker Caye tour that we are considering, but I am wondering if we can actually snorkel when we arrive at Caulker Caye, or is it just a drop you off for lunch and shopping kind of stop. Has anybody taken this tour?

volcanogirl

Agree with Sylvia about Mexico Rocks; we really liked it, but it's extremely shallow. Hol Chan was fantastic - big rays, nurse sharks, sea turtles, and colorful tropical fish.

traveling

Thanks for all your replies. So far we decided on the all day snorkel trip to Hol Chan, Caulker Caye and Shark Alley the day after our arrival. Two days later we will snorkel and my dtr will dive on an all day trip to Basil Jones. Ecologic said it would be a good trip for both snokelers and divers. Anybody have and experiences at Basil Jones?

Also, thinking of booking one more trip for snorkel/dive. Considering Bacalar Chico Marine Sanctuary. Any thoughts, suggestions on this part of the reef?

Katzgar

how does it look on you tube and gmaps? also look at an atoll and mexico rocks.

traveling

Thanks, Katzgar -- Keep forgetting to use you tube as a source. Great idea!
Have you been to Mexico Rocks? Is it shallow, or off the boat snorkeling?

Katzgar

off the boat

BigRuss

Well . . . The Blue Hole is supposedly THE PLACE for diving but it's a day trip from Ambergris Caye and it's likely deeper than any place she's dived before. Shark-Ray alley is cool generally.

traveling

Yes, the Blue Hole looks amazing, but my sources say it's a long trip there and because of its depth, diving is just as good if not better, if we choose sights nearby. So we took it off our list and am looking for worthwhile diving snorkeling closer to Ambergris. Anyone have any input on the atolls? Which one would be closest and also offer snorkeling?

JMBelizetravel

All atolls are a farther trip out trip about 2 hr plus. What you can is a dive combo at Shark Ray Alley & Hol Chan. You can also do like amigo's dive spot. Basil jones All day trip is also a good dive to do but it is a three tank dive. Or you can even do a night dive also right there on Ambergris Caye

traveling

Yes, Shark Ray Alley & Hol Chan will be our first trip out after arrival and booked all day Basil Jones for later in the week. Probably not interested in a 2 hr boat trip to the atolls. Hubby gets a litte queezy if on the boat too long. Looking for a third trip out to snorkel/dive, but haven't decided where yet. May just wing it and decide once we get there. Leaving next week!! Can't wait!!!